"artist’s trendy work said too superficial".
"The McIntosh Gallery has two exhibits at the University of Western Ontario campus which continues through Feb. 4. The artists are ****** ******** and Bryan Maycock whose approach, attitude and technique are as divergent as it would be possible to find in the works of two artists".
The headline for the article, went on to be critical of my co-exhibitor. Then followed:
"Bryan Maycock, who received his art training in England, and is assistant curator at the London Public Art Museum for the past three years, is inspired by the infinity of movement through all of life.
This apparently metaphysical and profoundly philosophical theme might be expected to result in heavy art works. Instead, it results in works of a joyous kind that scintillate with delicious colors and fascinating lines and shapes.
Maycock mixes up the fun by providing works made of paper to form intricate collages, photographic prints, real objects set in frames, cutout painted facsimiles of the real objects – comfits – pastel drawings, painted candy comfits formed like a human being sitting on a plastic chair, feet on the ground, colors with Cezanne-like outline, and real colored ropes that are tied to the lower part of a frame which holds a canvas, the rope is continued in paint to the top – going up and up, in proper accordance with the artist’s theory about the movement of objects and the element of life itself flowing through the universe.
The show is outstanding for the superb craftsmanship of every piece which is thought out with meticulous care and carries its own impact. One may delight in the joyousness of the colors and that silhouette of a human being in a plastic chair. But he also is made aware of the humor and pretty colors are far from the essential of the artist’s intent. Maycock uses beautiful colors and intriguing shapes because they are part of what he must do as an artist. He indicates voluntary and involuntary movement clearly. It’s a show to ponder as well as to enjoy at first glance".
The headline for the article, went on to be critical of my co-exhibitor. Then followed:
"Bryan Maycock, who received his art training in England, and is assistant curator at the London Public Art Museum for the past three years, is inspired by the infinity of movement through all of life.
This apparently metaphysical and profoundly philosophical theme might be expected to result in heavy art works. Instead, it results in works of a joyous kind that scintillate with delicious colors and fascinating lines and shapes.
Maycock mixes up the fun by providing works made of paper to form intricate collages, photographic prints, real objects set in frames, cutout painted facsimiles of the real objects – comfits – pastel drawings, painted candy comfits formed like a human being sitting on a plastic chair, feet on the ground, colors with Cezanne-like outline, and real colored ropes that are tied to the lower part of a frame which holds a canvas, the rope is continued in paint to the top – going up and up, in proper accordance with the artist’s theory about the movement of objects and the element of life itself flowing through the universe.
The show is outstanding for the superb craftsmanship of every piece which is thought out with meticulous care and carries its own impact. One may delight in the joyousness of the colors and that silhouette of a human being in a plastic chair. But he also is made aware of the humor and pretty colors are far from the essential of the artist’s intent. Maycock uses beautiful colors and intriguing shapes because they are part of what he must do as an artist. He indicates voluntary and involuntary movement clearly. It’s a show to ponder as well as to enjoy at first glance".
Lenore Crawford of the London Free Press January 12 1973.
I cannot recall discussing my work with Lenore prior to the review. But that may have occurred. It was not unusual for Lenore to speak her mind in reviews. But I suspect that it was probably an editor who opted for the negative headline. Thanks are due to my colleague at the time, gallery registrar, the late Paddy Gunn O'Brien, who provided the 'heads up' that mitigated the headline's implication. Thanks also to Lenore for her generous, thoughtful comments about my contribution to the two-person exhibition..
